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Longshoremen go on strike at Port of Baltimore

A strike by longshoremen at the Port of Baltimore is affecting all cargo operations.

The longshoremen, the largest of four unions at the port representing more than 1,000 workers, went on strike after contract negotiations stalled Tuesday. Three other unions representing port workers joined the strike.

The longshoremen are part of the International Longshoremen's Association Local No. 333. The organization said it hasn't been able to reach an agreement on a new contract with the Steamship Trade Association of Baltimore, which hires laborers to work at the port and represents management.

From Maine to Texas, Baltimore is the only port that has been shut down, but workers are hopeful they'll be back to work by the weekend.

"We're not asking for much. We're not asking for a whole lot of anything. We just want a fair wage, safe place to work," one worker said.

The strike shut down all operations at marine terminals -- a big impact on the economy. Port officials said the port generates $3.5 billion a year and create more than 14,000 jobs.

"We have about five ships right now at the port that are docked and that are not being worked. So the status of those ships is basically if we have a quick resolution those ships can be worked sometime in the next day or two. If this extends longer than that, obviously it's a fluid situation and then we'll sort of have to reevaluate at that time," said Richard Scher with the Port of Baltimore.

The ILA said the biggest sticking points are safety and pay.

"We're working out in the hot heat in the summer, working out in the cold weather with salt water blowing all in our faces and unloading these ships. There's no reason when they're making this kind of money for them to not want to give the workers anything. This is getting ridiculous," port worker James Wommack said.

"I've been hurt down here a couple of times, which I've had carbon monoxide poisoning. I've had my neck and back hurt, my knee messed up so these things. The job is very dangerous. We deal with a lot of weight here. It's very easy to get hurt," port worker Chris Shipley said.

Telephone messages left Wednesday for the union president were not immediately returned. Steamship Trade Association president Michael Angelos said he hopes to return to the negotiating table soon. He said they have been in negotiations with the ILA since January to ratify a local contract after a national master agreement was reached last December.

Angelos said that agreement prohibits strikes and said it's possible that the STA could get an injunction to force the workers back on the job, but the ILA remains optimistic they can reach a compromise.

"We are making headway. They're talking. We should be at the table Friday with USMX, management and ourselves," said Lamont Coger, walking delegate with ILA.

A spokesman said the port handles more than 30 million tons of cargo annually and is the 11th largest port for cargo in the United States.

Copyright 2013 by WBALTV.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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